Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. It is a chronic, life-long condition. The symptoms include tremors, rigid muscles that restrict movement, the slowing down of automatic movement that makes the simplest movements difficult to do, and impaired balance that often results in falling. Because Parkinson's is a progressive disease, the symptoms continue to get worse, according to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine.
Physical Deterioration
The disease moves into the last stages by the time the average patient has had it for seven years, according to Parkinson's hopeDigest, a website for patients and caregivers. But the disease does not affect everyone the same way, so the rate of progression may be different for each patient. By the last stages a person with Parkinson's is usually in a situation of completely relying on others to be bathed, dressed, fed and perform other basic activities. It is difficult for a Parkinson's patient to communicate with others. By this time there is severe memory loss and tremendous difficulty with hand-eye coordination. Movements may become jerky because of stiff muscles. There will be times when the patient will suddenly freeze when trying to move. The person will be falling daily and must walk with the assistant of someone else, usually a caregiver or family member. The person may have feelings of unexplained pain.
Coping
Because people with Parkinson's must rely on others during the last stages, severe depression may set in. They realize they can no longer do the normal activities in life. For this reason, Parkinson's patients are encouraged earlier to arrange strategies for this stage with a caretaker and a physician. Parkinson's hopeDigest also recommends using the help of a social worker experienced in handling people with the disease. Social workers have the knowledge and skills to address emotional and practical issues facing the patient. A social worker experienced in helping Parkinson's patients will know how to arrange things in the home to aid the patient and the caretaker. Social workers are also able to assist in the financial changes facing the patient.
Continued Treatment
The disease can become so severe that patients may develop dementia or a loss of awareness of reality. The constant personal care is accompanied by necessary medical care because of rapid changes. Medications are usually adjusted to treat symptoms that are getting progressively worse. Parkinson's patients often spend more time with their physicians or neurologists during the later stages. Patients are often using different doses and combinations of medicines at this time to deal with the movement disorders that are constantly changing.
